The effects of alkaline water and the negative effects on health if you drink too much

Alkaline water has certain effects. Illustration photo. (Source: Pixabay)

With a high pH, ​​alkaline water is said to help neutralize acid in the body, increase energy, and slow down aging. It is even said to be able to prevent or cure cancer.

This view stems from the hypothesis that an acidic environment creates favorable conditions for cancer cells to grow. So what does science really say?

The Real Benefits of Alkaline Water

Experts say that any health fad usually has some truth to it and the rest is easily exaggerated to create an effect. With alkaline water, they agree, there are certain properties, including:

- Temporarily neutralizes stomach acid: Thanks to its high pH, ​​alkaline water can neutralize excess stomach acid like antacids, helping some people feel more comfortable when suffering from reflux. However, this effect only lasts for a short time.

- Hydrates like regular water: The basic function of water is to hydrate the body. Alkaline water does not have any outstanding properties in terms of hydration and there is no scientific evidence to show that it is better than regular filtered water.

Mild effect on urine pH, no change in blood pH: After drinking alkaline water, urine may become slightly more alkaline, but blood pH remains stable in the range of 7.35-7.45 thanks to the tight control mechanism of the lungs and kidneys.

The Link Between Alkaline Water and Cancer Prevention Claims

In the 1930s, Nobel Prize-winning German physician Otto Warburg discovered through research that cancer cells thrive in low-oxygen, acidic environments.

Unlike normal cells that use oxygen to generate energy through aerobic respiration, cancer cells rely primarily on glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen, which produces lactic acid.

This process creates an acidic microenvironment around the tumor, which Warburg believes is a key factor in promoting cancer growth. The finding suggests that cancer cells are more acidic than the rest of the body.

From that logic, many people deduce that if an acidic environment is related to cancer, then drinking alkaline water to "neutralize acid" in the body can prevent cancer.

Typically, the pH scale (0-14) is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity (base) of a substance, with pH from 0 to 6 being acidic, pH 7 being neutral (like pure water), and pH from 8 to 14 being alkaline (like alkaline water).

The misunderstanding of Warburg's discovery comes largely from an overly simplistic interpretation: He observed that cancer cells create an acidic environment around themselves because of the way they metabolize glucose, not because the body becomes acidified.

However, many people mistakenly assume that "alkalizing" the body through diet or drinking alkaline water can prevent or cure cancer, simply because acid and alkaline are at opposite ends of the pH scale.

In fact, the human body always strictly controls the pH of the blood, maintaining it stable between 7.35 and 7.45. Alkaline water or alkaline foods can slightly change the pH of saliva or urine, but cannot significantly affect the pH of the blood.

What effects does drinking too much alkaline water have on the body?

While there is no scientific evidence that alkaline water can prevent cancer, it is clear that excess alkalinity in the body can lead to serious problems. This condition is called alkalosis, and it upsets the natural acid-base balance that maintains the body's health.

In alkalosis, enzyme activity may be impaired, oxygen delivery to tissues may be reduced, and essential minerals such as potassium and calcium may become imbalanced.

These changes often cause symptoms such as cramps, numbness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases can lead to heart arrhythmias or seizures. Simply put, an excessive alkaline state does not improve health but puts a burden on the body.